Work completed on new scheme to protect Plymouth's bathing waters

15th October 2019

South West Water has completed upgrade work on the sewer network in Lipson Vale to protect Plymouth's bathing waters.

The work, which began in August 2018 and ended this month, forms part of a larger £28m investment in Plymouth's bathing water quality.

Bathing water quality is monitored and higher quality standards were introduced in 2015. By completing these works, South West Water is maintaining Plymouth’s position as having some of the best bathing waters in the UK.

The work included installing new pipes in Lipson Vale and Bernice Terrace and building a new stormwater overflow to replace three older chambers in the area.

A teacher and pupil from Lipson Vale Primary School visited the site after the work with a card and chocolates to thank workers who hosted a series of visits for pupils on site during the scheme to learn about the work taking place on their doorstep.

The students were able to find out how a tunnelling hand shield was used to speed up the process and prevent road closures in Plymouth during the work. One student, Rosie Denham, also helped name the tunnelling ‘dragon’ Doug.

Mike Court, Senior Project Manager at South West Water, said: “The work we have carried out to improve stormwater overflows in Lipson Vale will help to ensure Plymouth maintains its excellent bathing water quality.

“We were very mindful of the fact that we were working near local schools and in a residential area, and therefore invested in a specialist, custom made tunnelling hand shield which ultimately helped us speed up the work and prevent the need for road closures.

Notes to editors
• South West Water has invested more than £2billion to transform bathing water quality across the region over the past 20 years.
• In 2018 we announced the completion of a £26million investment to improve water quality in the Plymouth Sound.
• Bathing water quality at Plymouth Hoe East and West beaches was rated ‘excellent’ in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.